Camera

ABSTRACT

A camera includes a display device capable of displaying on a single screen a plurality of images, each of which can be observed from one of a plurality of directions; a selection device that selects any one of a plurality of operating modes; and a display control device that displays at the display device the plurality of images each correlated to the operating mode selected via the selection device.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of the following priority application is hereinincorporated by reference:

Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-022491 filed Jan. 31, 2006

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera.

2. Description of Related Art

Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 2003-208113 discloses atechnology whereby two images are formed on a single display monitor viaan LCD disposed at the rear surface of a camera, which includes adiffractive optical element. A virtual second image is formed via thediffractive optical element in addition to a first image displayed atthe LCD in the display device disclosed in the publication.

However, a problem arises in that the second image formed via thediffractive optical element can be observed only at a specific positionand can no longer be observed once the eye position shifts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A camera according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:a display device capable of displaying on a single screen a plurality ofimages, each of which can be observed from one of a plurality ofdirections; a selection device that selects any one of a plurality ofoperating modes; and a display control device that displays at thedisplay device the plurality of images each correlated to the operatingmode selected via the selection device.

The display control device may display at the display device identicalimages as the plurality of images.

Alternatively, the display control device may display at the displaydevice images different from one another as the plurality of images.

The display control device may control the display device so as to keepat least one of the plurality of images in a non-display state.

The camera according to the first aspect may further include anoperating member disposed at an upper surface of the camera, and it ispreferable that the plurality of images displayed at the display deviceare observed at an upward angle relative to the display device and froma direction along a normal line to the display device.

The camera according to the first aspect may further include anoperating member disposed at an upper surface of the camera, and theplurality of images displayed at the display device may be observed fromat least two directions among; an upward angle relative to the displaydevice, a direction along a normal line to the display device and adownward angle relative to the display device.

It is preferable that the display control device displays at the displaydevice an image observed from an observing direction other than thedirection extending along the normal line of sight for the displaydevice by enlarging the image along a direction parallel to a plane thatcontains the direction along the normal line and the observingdirection.

The display control device may increase an enlargement magnificationfactor for the image as a distance from an observation positionincreases.

The display control device may display at the display device the imagein a further enlargement by ensuring that as an angle formed by thedirection along the normal line and the observing direction on a displayscreen at the display device increases, a display magnification factoralong a direction perpendicular to the plane also increases.

The camera according to the first aspect may further include a detectorthat detects an angle of inclination corresponding to an attitude of thecamera, and the display control device may raise at least one of theenlargement magnification factor for the image along the directionparallel to the plane and the display magnification factor for the imagealong the direction perpendicular to the plane in correspondence to theangle of inclination detected via the detector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure adopted in a cameraachieved in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how the display may be observed, with FIG. 2Ashowing a camera body held upright and FIG. 2B showing the camera bodyheld at a tilt;

FIGS. 3A˜3C present examples of display that may be brought up at animage display monitor in various operating modes, with FIG. 3Aindicating an example of display contents brought up in a regularphotographing mode, FIG. 3B indicating an example of display contentsbrought up in an image reproduction mode and FIG. 3C indicating anexample of display contents brought up in a camera setting adjustmentmode;

FIGS. 4A and 4B present examples of display that may be brought up atthe image display monitor in various operating modes, with FIG. 4Aindicating an example of display contents brought up in a photographingand image reproduction mode and FIG. 4B indicating an example of displaycontents brought up in a photographing and camera setting adjustmentmode;

FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of the main processing executed duringcamera operation;

FIG. 6 presents a detailed flowchart of the photographing controloperation processing;

FIG. 7 presents a detailed flowchart of the processing for reading theoperating mode setting and the processing for setting the operating modeflag;

FIG. 8 presents a detailed flowchart of the display data set processing;

FIG. 9 presents a detailed flowchart of the displayed data setprocessing, in continuation from FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the concept of the vertically elongateddisplay, with FIG. 10A showing a pre-elongation regular display and FIG.10B showing a vertically elongated display;

FIGS. 11A˜11C illustrate observation of the display viewed from aposition above the display at an angle, with FIG. 11A showing therelationship between the observation sight line and the normal line tothe display surface, FIG. 11B showing the display image observed fromthe position above the display at an angle and FIG. 11C showing thedisplay image having undergone trapezoidal conversion;

FIGS. 12A˜12C present examples of display that may be brought up in acompact electronic camera, with FIG. 12A indicating an example ofdisplay contents brought up in a regular photographing mode, FIG. 12Bindicating an example of display contents brought up in an imagereproduction mode and FIG. 12C indicating an example of display contentsbrought up in a camera setting adjustment mode; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B present examples of display that may be brought up ina compact electronic camera, with FIG. 13A indicating an example ofdisplay contents brought up in a photographing and image reproductionmode and FIG. 13B indicating an example of display contents brought in aphotographing and camera setting adjustment mode.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is an explanation of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, given in reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a blockdiagram showing the structure adopted in a camera achieved in anembodiment of the present invention. The camera in FIG. 1, which is asingle-lens reflex electronic camera, includes an information managementunit 1, a photometering sensor 2, a shutter release switch 3, anoperation input unit 4, a lens communication unit 5, a photographingcontrol unit 6, a shutter 9, an image sensor 10, a buffer memory 11, animage processing unit 12, an image display management unit 13, an imagedisplay buffer memory 14, an image display buffer memory 15, an imagedisplay monitor 16, an image recording unit 17 and an angle sensor 19. Aphotographic lens 7, which includes an aperture 8 and a recording medium18 can be detachably mounted at the camera.

The information management unit 1 manages information input thereto,including luminance information input from the photometering sensor 2, ashutter release instruction signal input from the shutter release switch3, operation information input from the operation input unit 4 andinformation related to the photographic lens 7 (information indicatingthe position of the aperture 8 and the like) which is input from thelens communication unit 5. In addition, the information management unit1 manages luminance information indicating the subject luminance, whichis to be output to the photographing control unit 6, and instructioninformation constituting instructions for image processing and imagedisplay, and exposure correction information which are to be output tothe image processing unit 12. It also generates setting adjustmentdisplay data as well.

The photometering sensor 2 measures the subject luminance through thephotographic lens 7 and outputs the luminance information obtainedthrough the measurement to the information management unit 1. Theshutter release switch 3 enters an ON state by interlocking with a fullpress operation of a shutter release button 3 a (see FIGS. 2A and 2B),which is a member operated by the user and outputs an ON signal to theinformation management unit 1. The ON signal from the shutter releaseswitch 3 is equivalent to a shutter release instruction signal.

The operation input unit 4, constituted with various operating members,accepts operations for camera setting adjustment including a selectionof a specific camera operating mode setting such as a regularphotographing mode, a camera setting adjustment mode or an imagereproduction mode and outputs a corresponding operation signal to theinformation management unit 1.

The photographing control unit 6 calculates control exposure byexecuting a specific exposure calculation based upon the luminanceinformation obtained from the information management unit 1 anddetermines control parameters to be selected for the aperture 8, theshutter 9 and the image sensor 10 in order to achieve the controlexposure. The photographing control unit 6 then individually controlsthe aperture 8, the shutter 9 and the image sensor 10 based upon thecontrol parameters thus determined. In addition, the photographingcontrol unit 6 generates control information display data indicating thecamera conditions including the number of pictures having been taken,the F value and the shutter speed and outputs the data to the imagedisplay management unit 13.

Imaging signals output from the image sensor 10 are temporarily savedinto the buffer memory 11 and the saved data are then transferred to theimage processing unit 12. The image processing unit 12 generatesphotographic image data by executing white balance processing, pixelinterpolation processing and the like on the imaging signals having beentransferred thereto via the buffer memory 11 and outputs thephotographic image data thus generated to the image recording unit 17.In addition, the image processing unit 12 generates image reproductiondisplay data based upon the photographic image data having beengenerated or image data recorded in the recording medium 18 and outputsthe image reproduction display data to the image display management unit13.

The image recording unit 17 is capable of saving photographic image datatransferred from the image processing unit 12 into the recording medium18 and reading out data saved in the recording medium 18. The recordingmedium 18 may be constituted with a data storage member such as a memorycard. The angle sensor 19 detects the angle of inclination of thecamera, and more specifically, the extent to which the camera is tiltedforward or rearward.

The image display management unit 13 manages the control informationdisplay data obtained from the photographing control unit 6, the imagereproduction display data obtained from the image processing unit 12 andthe setting adjustment display data obtained from the informationmanagement unit 1, and temporarily stores these data into the imagedisplay buffer memories 14 and 15 in correspondence to the cameraoperating mode indicated in the information obtained from theinformation management unit 1. It is to be noted that when storing thecontrol information display data obtained from the photographing controlunit 6 into the image display buffer memory 15, the image displaymanagement unit 13 may convert the display contents to be brought up atthe image display monitor 16 so as to present them in a verticallyelongated format and may store the control information display dataresulting from the conversion into the image display buffer memory 15.

At the image display monitor 16 located at, for instance, the rearsurface of the camera, a photographed image, a reproduced image, acamera setting adjustment screen, control information and the like isdisplayed. At the image display monitor 16, a plurality of differentimages can be displayed simultaneously and the display of each image canonly be observed from a specific direction different from the directionsfrom which other images can be observed. For instance, different imagescan be displayed each in correspondence to one of a plurality ofobservers on a liquid crystal display device by using a liquid crystaldisplay panel and a parallax barrier in combination. By disposing theparallax barrier in a specific arrangement, three or more differentimages can be brought up or different images can be brought up along thevertical direction.

At the image display monitor 16 achieved in the embodiment, two screenscan be simultaneously brought up, each to be viewed from a positionassumed along the top/bottom direction. An image display that can beobserved only straight-on at the rear side of the camera, as indicatedby the arrows A in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is to be referred to as astraight-on observation image, whereas an image display that can beobserved only at an upward-angle at the camera rear side as indicated bythe arrows B in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is to be referred to as anupward-angle, observation image. The straight-on observation image isdisplayed by using display information stored in the image displaybuffer memory 14 and the upward-angle observation image is displayed byusing display information stored in the image display buffer memory 15.

It is to be noted that FIG. 2A shows observation of the display on thecamera with the camera body C held upright, whereas FIG. 2B showsobservation of the display with the camera body C held at a tilt forbetter viewing. It is assumed that the display is observed on the camerarear side even when the camera body C is held at a tilt, as shown inFIG. 2B. It is also to be noted that when observing the display on thecamera rear side with the camera body C held upright, as shown in FIG.2A, the respective images can be more easily observed straight-on and atthe upward angle by setting the liquid crystal display screen (notshown) constituting the image display monitor 16 at a slight upwardtilt, e.g., by mechanically tilting the liquid crystal display screen.It is desirable that the angle formed by the normal line of the imagedisplay monitor 16 and the straight-on direction (the directionindicated by the arrows A) and the angle formed by the normal line andthe upward-angle direction (the direction indicated by the arrows B) beequal to each other under such circumstances.

It is to be noted that three or more directions may be set as theobserving directions instead of the two directions, i.e., the directionsindicated by the arrows A and B. In addition, images different from oneanother may be displayed in correspondence to the three or moreobserving directions, or identical images may be displayed incorrespondence to at least two of the observing directions. The threedifferent observing directions may be, for instance, an upward-angledirection (corresponding to the direction indicated by the arrows B), astraight-on direction (corresponding to the direction indicated by thearrows A) and a downward-angle direction (corresponding to the directionalong which the display is viewed from the bottom side of the camera).

It is to be noted that since operating members such as the shutterrelease button 3 a are disposed at the camera top surface, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, better ease of use is assured by observing the imagedisplay monitor 16 from the top side of the camera (from the directionindicated by the arrows B) when operating the operating members. Inaddition, if the operating members disposed at the top surface of thecamera include a mode selector button, a mode setting image should bedisplayed in the upward-angle observation image screen observed at theupward-angle (from the direction indicated by the arrows B). Namely, thecontents of the information displayed in the upward-angle observationimage may be adjusted in correspondence to the positions at whichspecific operating members are disposed at the camera.

In the camera achieved in the embodiment, the display mode at the imagedisplay monitor 16 is switched in correspondence to the camera operatingmode so as to provide an optimal display corresponding to the particularoperating mode. Next, an example of a relationship between the cameraoperating mode and the display mode is explained. The operating modesthat may be selected in the embodiment include a “photographing mode” inwhich a regular photographing operation can be executed, an “imagereproduction mode” for reproducing and displaying a previouslyphotographed image at the image display monitor 16, a “camera settingadjustment mode”, in which a camera setting condition is adjusted, a“photographing and image reproduction mode” in which a reproduced imagecan be displayed at the image display monitor 16 while sustaining aphotographing-enabled state, and a “photographing and camera settingadjustment mode” in which a camera setting adjustment display is broughtup at the image display monitor 16 while sustaining aphotographing-enabled state.

In the photographing and image reproduction mode, a previouslyphotographed image can be reproduced and displayed at the image displaymonitor 16 by, for instance, operating the operation input unit 4 whilesustaining a state in which an image can be photographed in response toa shutter release operation at any time. The photographing and camerasetting adjustment mode allows the user to adjust a camera settingcondition by viewing a camera setting adjustment display and operatingthe operation input unit 4 while sustaining the state in which an imagecan be photographed in response to a shutter release operation at anytime.

FIGS. 3A˜4B present examples of displays that may be brought up at theimage display monitor 16 in the various operating modes. FIGS. 3A˜3Cpresent examples of displays brought up in the photographing mode, theimage reproduction mode and the camera setting adjustment mode, whereasFIGS. 4A and 4B present examples of displays brought up in thephotographing and image reproduction mode and the photographing andcamera setting adjustment mode. In each example, the upward-angleobservation image observed by viewing the image display monitor 16 atthe upward-angle is shown on the top side and the straight-onobservation image is shown on the bottom side. It is to be noted thatwhen observing the upward-angle observation image at the upward angle,the shape of the image display monitor 16 viewed at an angle from aboveis an inverted trapezoid.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the control information indicating the shutterspeed, the aperture value, the exposure mode and the like is displayedboth as the straight-on observation image and as the upward-angleobservation image in the photographing mode. In the image reproductionmode, a reproduced image is displayed both as the straight-onobservation image and as the upward-angle observation image, as shown inFIG. 3B. In the camera setting adjustment mode, the setting adjustmentdisplay image is displayed both as the straight-on observation image andas the upward-angle observation image, as shown in FIG. 3C. In theexample presented in FIG. 3C, a menu screen in which photographingconditions can be set is displayed. It is to be noted that in theoperating modes in which display images providing identical displayinformation are displayed as the two observation images, as shown inFIGS. 3A˜3C, one of the observation images may be set in a non-displaystate as detailed later.

In the photographing and image reproduction mode, a reproduced image isdisplayed as the straight-on observation image and the controlinformation mentioned earlier is displayed as the upward-angleobservation image, as shown in FIG. 4A. It is to be noted that thecontrol information may be displayed as the straight-on observationimage and the reproduced image may be displayed as the upward-angleobservation image, instead. In the photographing and camera settingadjustment mode, the setting adjustment display image is displayed asthe straight-on observation image and the control information isdisplayed as the upward-angle observation image, as shown in FIG. 4B. Inthis mode, too, the control information may be displayed as thestraight-on observation image and the setting adjustment display imagemay be displayed as the upward-angle observation image, instead.

(Main Processing)

FIG. 5 presents a flowchart of the camera operation executed in theembodiment. The program for the main processing in the flowchartpresented in FIG. 5 is started up as a halfway press operation signalgenerated as a result of a halfway press operation of the shutterrelease button 3 a is input to the information management unit 1 while amain switch (not shown) at the camera is in an ON state. The processingin FIG. 5 ends as the main switch is turned off or as a time-up occursat a timer counting the length of time elapsing following the input ofthe halfway press operation signal.

It is to be noted that since this embodiment is characterized by therelationship between the operating mode and the display mode, thefollowing explanation focuses on the aspect of the invention related tothe display mode assumed as a specific operating mode is selected.

In step S101 in the main processing shown in FIG. 5, the informationmanagement unit 1 initializes the information in the camera and then theoperation proceeds to step S102. More specifically, it sets aphotographing mode flag and clears a reproduction mode flag and asetting mode flag. In other words, the camera is set in thephotographing mode in the initial state.

In step S102, the information management unit 1 obtains the informationrelated to the photographic lens 7 from the lens communication unit 5and then the operation proceeds to step S103. In step S103, theinformation management unit 1 takes in the luminance information fromthe photometering sensor 2, and then the operation proceeds to stepS104. In step S104, the information management unit 1 calculates anexposure control value based upon the luminance information having beentaken in step S103.

In step S105, the information management unit 1 reads the operating modesetting input via the operation input unit 4 and executes operating modeflag set processing accordingly. The operating mode flag set processingis to be described in detail later. In step S106, display data are setin the image buffer memories 14 and 15 in correspondence to theoperating mode flag setting having been selected in step S105. It is tobe noted that the display data set processing is to be described indetail later.

In step S107, the information management unit 1 makes a decision as towhether or not a shutter release operation has been executed by checkinga shutter release flag which is set in response to a shutter releaseinstruction signal from the shutter release switch 3. It the shutterrelease flag has been set, an affirmative decision is made in step S107to proceed to step S108, whereas a negative decision is made in stepS107 if the shutter release flag has not been set, and in this case, theoperation proceeds to step S112.

In step S108, the information management unit 1 executes photographingcontrol processing, and then the operation proceeds to step S109. Thephotographing control processing is to be described in detail later. Instep S109, the information management unit 1 outputs an instruction forthe image processing unit 12 so as to generate image data by executing aspecific type of image processing on image signals stored in the buffermemory 11. In step S110, the image data having been generated in stepS109 are written into the recording medium 18.

In step S111, the shutter release flag is cleared in preparation for thenext shutter release operation. In step S112, the information managementunit 1 makes a decision as to whether or not a time-up has occurred atthe timer. The information management unit 1 makes an affirmativedecision in step S112 thereby ending the main processing in FIG. 5, if apredetermined length of time has elapsed following the input of thehalfway press operation signal and a time-up has occurred. If, on theother hand, a time-up has not occurred at the timer, the informationmanagement unit 1 makes a negative decision in step S112 and, in thiscase, the operation returns to step S102 to repeatedly execute theprocessing described above.

(Photographing Control Operation Processing)

Next, the photographing control operation processing executed in stepS108 is explained in detail in reference to the flowchart presented inFIG. 6. In step S181 in FIG. 6, the information management unit 1outputs an instruction for the photographing control unit 6 so as to setthe aperture 8 to the position corresponding to the control aperturevalue, and then the operation proceeds to step S182. In step S182, theinformation management unit 1 outputs an instruction for thephotographing control unit 6 so as to start an electrical charge storageat the image sensor 10, and then the operation proceeds to step S183.

In step S183, the information management unit 1 outputs an instructionfor the photographing control unit 6 to start exposure by opening theshutter 9 and then the operation proceeds to step S184. In step S184,the information management unit 1 makes a decision as to whether or notthe exposure period, the length of which corresponds to the controlshutter speed, has elapsed. If the exposure period has elapsed, theinformation management unit 1 makes an affirmative decision in step S184to proceed to step S185, whereas it makes a negative decision in stepS184 if the exposure period has not elapsed. In the latter case, thedecision-making processing is executed repeatedly.

In step S185, the information management unit 1 outputs an instructionfor the photographing control unit 6 so as to end the exposure byclosing the shutter 9 before the operation proceeds to step S186. Instep S186, the information management unit 1 outputs an instruction forthe photographing control unit 6 so as to end the electrical chargestorage at the image sensor 10, and then the operation proceeds to stepS187. In step S187, the information management unit 1 outputs aninstruction for the photographing control unit 6 so as to reset theaperture 8 to the initial position before proceeding to step S188.

In step S188, the information management unit 1 outputs an instructionfor the photographing control unit 6 so as to start taking in chargestorage signals (image signals) from the image sensor 10 and then theoperation proceeds to step S189. The image signals are then stored intothe buffer memory 11. In step S189, the information management unit 1outputs an instruction for the photographing control unit 6 so as toinitialize the shutter 9 and then the processing in FIG. 6 ends.

(Operating Mode Read/Flag Set Processing)

The operating mode setting read processing and the operating mode flagset processing executed in step S105 as described earlier are nowexplained in detail in reference to the flowchart presented in FIG. 7.In step S131, the information management unit 1 makes a decision as towhether or not the operating mode setting read from the operation inputunit 4 indicates the photographing and image reproduction mode. If theoperating mode setting indicates the photographing and imagereproduction mode, the information management unit 1 makes anaffirmative decision to proceed to step S132, whereas if the operatingmode setting indicates any other operating mode, it makes a negativedecision to proceed to step S135.

In step S132, to which the operation proceeds from step S131 when theoperating mode setting indicates the photographing and imagereproduction mode, the photographing mode flag is set, and then in stepS133, the reproduction mode flag is set. Subsequently, the operationproceeds to step S134 to clear the setting mode flag and the processingin FIG. 7 then ends.

If, on the other hand, the operation proceeds from step S131 to stepS135, a decision is made in step S135 as to whether or not the operatingmode setting having been read indicates the image reproduction mode. Theinformation management unit 1 makes an affirmative decision if theoperating mode setting indicates the image reproduction mode to proceedto step S136, but it makes a negative decision if the operating modesetting indicates any other operating mode to proceed to step S139.

In step S136, to which the operation proceeds from step S135 when theoperating mode setting indicates the image reproduction mode, thephotographing mode flag is cleared, and then in step S137, thereproduction mode flag is set. Subsequently, the operation proceeds tostep S138 to clear the setting mode flag and the processing in FIG. 7then ends.

If the operation proceeds to step S139 upon making a negative decisionin step S135, a decision is made in step S139 as to whether or not theoperating mode setting having been read indicates the photographing andcamera setting mode. The information management unit 1 makes anaffirmative decision if the operating mode setting indicates thephotographing and camera setting mode to proceed to step S140, but itmakes a negative decision if the operating mode setting indicates anyother operating mode to proceed to step S143.

In step S140, to which the operation proceeds from step S139 when theoperating mode setting indicates the photographing and camera settingmode, the photographing mode flag is set and then the reproduction modeflag is cleared in step S141. Subsequently, the operation proceeds tostep S142 to set the setting mode flag and then the processing in FIG. 7ends.

If the operation proceeds to step S143 upon making a negative decisionin step S139, a decision is made in step S143 as to whether or not theoperating mode setting having been read indicates the camera settingmode. The information management unit 1 makes an affirmative decision ifthe operating mode setting indicates the camera setting mode to proceedto step S144, but it makes a negative decision if the operating modesetting indicates any other operating mode to proceed to step S147.

In step S144, to which the operation proceeds from step S143 when theoperating mode setting indicates the camera setting mode, thephotographing mode flag is cleared and then the reproduction mode flagis also cleared in step S145. Subsequently, the operation proceeds tostep S146 to set the setting mode flag, and then the processing in FIG.7 ends.

If, on the other hand, a negative decision is made in step S143 and theoperation proceeds to step S147, i.e., when the operating mode settingindicates the photographing mode, the photographing mode flag is set instep S147, and then the reproduction mode flag is cleared in step S148.Subsequently, the operation proceeds to step S149 to clear the settingmode flag, before ending the processing in FIG. 7.

(Display Data Set Processing)

The display data set processing executed in step S106 as described aboveis now explained in detail in reference to the flowchart presented inFIGS. 8 and 9. The image display management unit 13 in FIG. 1 executesthe processing in FIGS. 8 and 9 based upon the statuses of thephotographing mode flag, the reproduction mode flag and the setting modeflag set by the information management unit 1 as described above.

In step S161, the image display management unit 13 makes a decision asto whether or not the reproduction mode flag has been set. If thereproduction mode flag has been set, i.e., if the photographing andimage reproduction mode or the image reproduction mode has beenselected, the image display management unit 13 makes an affirmativedecision to proceed to step S162, but it makes a negative decisionotherwise to proceed to step S167 in FIG. 9.

The processing executed in step S162 and subsequent steps after makingan affirmative decision in step S161 is first explained. In step S162,image data to be used for image reproduction are set in the imagedisplay buffer memory 14. More specifically, a specific set of imagedata (e.g., the set of image data having been recorded most recently)among the sets of image data recorded in the recording medium 18 istaken in and the set of image data thus taken in is set in the imagedisplay buffer memory 14 as image reproduction display data to be usedas image reproduction display data for the straight-on display(straight-on observation image).

In step S163, a decision is made as to whether or not the photographingmode flag has been set, i.e., whether the photographing and imagereproduction mode or the image reproduction mode has been selected. Ifthe photographing mode flag has been set, i.e., when the photographingand image reproduction mode has been selected, the image displaymanagement unit 13 makes an affirmative decision to proceed to stepS165, whereas if the photographing mode flag has not been set, i.e.,when the image reproduction mode has been selected, it makes a negativedecision to proceed to step S164.

In step S164, to which the operation proceeds from step S163 when theimage reproduction mode has been selected, image reproduction displaydata identical to those set in step S162 are set in the image displaybuffer memory 15, and then the processing in the flowchart presented inFIGS. 8 and 9 ends. As a result, identical reproduced images aredisplayed as the straight-on observation image and the upward-angleobservation image at the image display monitor 16.

If, on the other hand, the operation proceeds from step S163 to stepS165, i.e., when the photographing and image reproduction mode has beenselected, the control information display data are converted tovertically elongated display data. FIG. 10A shows the regular controlinformation display, i.e., the pre-elongation control informationdisplay, whereas FIG. 10B shows control information display brought upby using the vertically elongated display data. In step S166, thecontrol information display data having been converted to the verticallyelongated display data in step S165 are set in the image display buffermemory 15 and then the processing in the flowchart presented in FIGS. 8and 9 ends. As a result, the reproduced image is displayed at the imagedisplay monitor 16 as the straight-on observation image, whereas thevertically elongated control information such as that shown in FIG. 10Bis displayed as the upward-angle observation image at the displaymonitor 16.

When the image display monitor 16 disposed at the rear surface of thecamera body C is viewed from above at an angle, as shown in FIG. 11A,the top to bottom measurement of the image display monitor 16 becomesreduced in appearance, as shown in FIG. 11B. In other words, themeasurement of the display image on the display screen appears to bereduced along a direction parallel to the plane that contains theobservation line of sight and the normal line of sight for the displayscreen (the direction indicated by the arrow A). It is to be noted thatthe rectangle indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 11B indicates theoutline of the image display monitor 16 viewed from straight on.Accordingly, by bringing up a vertically elongated display such as thatshown in FIG. 10B so as to enlarge the display image along the directionindicated by the arrow A, it is ensured that the control information canbe viewed and read with ease from above at the specific angle.

Next, the processing executed in step S167 in FIG. 9 and subsequentsteps after making a negative decision in step S161, i.e., afterdetermining that the reproduction mode flag has not been set, isexplained. In step S167, a decision is made as to whether or not thesetting mode flag has been set. If the reproduction mode flag has beencleared and the setting mode flag has been set, i.e., when thephotographing and camera setting adjustment mode or the camera settingadjustment mode has been selected, the image display management unit 13makes an affirmative decision in step S167 to proceed to step S168, butit makes a negative decision otherwise to proceed to step S173.

If the operation proceeds from step S167 to step S168, data for thesetting adjustment display are set in the image display buffer memory 14to be used as the straight-on observation image in step S168. In thefollowing step S169, a decision is made as to whether or not thephotographing mode flag has been set, i.e., whether the camera settingadjustment mode or the photographing and camera setting adjustment modehas been selected. If the photographing mode flag has been set, i.e.,when the photographing and camera setting adjustment mode has beenselected, the image display management unit 13 makes an affirmativedecision to proceed to step S171, whereas if the photographing mode flaghas not been set, i.e., when the camera setting adjustment mode has beenselected, the image display management unit 13 makes a negative decisionto proceed to step S170.

In Step S170, to which the operation proceeds from step S169 upondetermining that the camera setting adjustment mode has been selected,setting adjustment display data identical to those set in step S168 areset in the image display buffer memory 15, before the processing in FIG.8 ends. As a result, identical setting adjustment displays are broughtup at the image display monitor 16 as the straight-on observation imageand the upward-angle observation image.

If, on the other hand, the photographing and camera setting adjustmentmode has been selected and the operation proceeds from S169 to step S171accordingly, the control information display data are converted tovertically elongated display data. In step S172, the control informationdisplay data having been converted to the vertically elongated displaydata in step S171 are set in the image display buffer memory 15 and thenthe processing in the flowchart presented in FIGS. 8 and 9 ends. As aresult, the setting adjustment display is brought up as the straight-onobservation image and the vertically elongated control information suchas that shown in FIG. 10B is brought up as the upward-angle observationimage at the image display monitor 16.

If the operation proceeds to step S173 after making a negative decisionin step S167, i.e., after determining that the setting mode flag has notbeen set, the photographing mode has been selected as the operatingmode. Under such circumstances, the control information display data areset in the image display buffer memory 14 to be used as the straight-onobservation image in step S173. Then, in step S174, the controlinformation display data are converted to vertically elongated displaydata and in the following step S175, the vertically elongated controlinformation display data are set in the image display buffer memory 15,before the processing in the flowchart presented in FIGS. 8 and 9 ends.As a result, identical control information is displayed both as thestraight-on observation image and the upward-angle observation image atthe image display monitor 16.

In the example described above, the control information display data arevertically elongated so as to provide the control information in avertically elongated display, as shown in FIG. 10B when displaying thecontrol information as the upward-angle observation image. It is to benoted that when converting the data to vertically elongated data, themagnification factor along the vertical direction may be increased asthe distance from the observation position increases. Namely, thevertical magnification factor for the data of the image observed fromabove may be gradually increased toward the bottom of the displaystarting at the top of the display data. The shape of the image displaymonitor 16 viewed from the upward-angle, as shown in FIG. 11A, is aninverted trapezoid in appearance, as shown in FIG. 11B. Thus, thecontrol information display, too, is observed over an image field withthe top side assuming the greatest width and becoming narrower towardthe bottom. In other words, the bottom side of the display screen with alarger angle θ in FIG. 11A appears to have a smaller width along thehorizontal direction, (the direction extending from the front sidethrough the back side of the drawing sheet).

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11C, the control information display datamay be converted to data taking on a trapezoidal shape graduallywidening from the top side of the display toward the bottom side of thedisplay, i.e., the data may be converted by setting a greater displaymagnification along the left-right direction on the display screen incorrespondence to a larger angle θ and the data resulting from thisconversion may be set in the image display buffer memory 15. A displaysuch as that shown in FIG. 11C, observed from the upward-angle retains asubstantially constant lateral display width, which can be viewed withgreater ease. In addition, such trapezoidal conversion may be executedin combination with the conversion to vertically elongated display data.The vertical magnification factor for the data may be increased as thedistance from the observation position increases, as explained earlier.The image displayed by adopting such a display mode, which appears nodifferent from the straight-on image, can be observed with ease fromabove.

In addition, the vertical elongation or the trapezoidal conversiondescribed above may be executed in correspondence to the angle ofinclination at which the camera is held, detected via the angle sensor19 shown in FIG. 1. Namely, since the appearance of difference betweenthe width of the top side and the width of the bottom side of the imagedisplay monitor 16 becomes more pronounced when the angle of inclinationis smaller (when the camera is held at a tilt along the forwarddirection to a smaller extent), the extent of the vertical elongationand/or the extent to which the trapezoid widens toward the bottom,representing the lateral ratio of the displayed image, should be furtherincreased in correspondence to a smaller angle of inclination. It is tobe noted that while the control information display data resulting fromthe vertical elongation are set in the image display buffer memory 15 inthe example described above, the vertical elongation or the trapezoidalconversion may be executed when displaying the control information atthe image display monitor 16 in response to a command issued from theimage display management unit 13 to a display control circuit at theimage display monitor 16, instead.

In addition, when display images generated based upon identical displayinformation are displayed as the upward-angle observation image and thestraight-on observation image as in the photographing mode, the imagereproduction mode and the camera setting adjustment mode shown in FIGS.3A˜3C, either one of the observation images may be set in a non-displaystate. For instance, an operating member operated to select thedisplay/non-display state may be included in the operation input unit 4shown in FIG. 1, and the observation image to be viewed from the desireddirection may be brought up on display in response to an operationalinstruction issued by the user.

While the control information is brought up as the upward-angle display(upward-angle observation image) and the reproduced image or the settingadjustment display is brought up as the straight-on display (straight-onobservation image) in the photographing and image reproduction mode andthe photographing and camera setting adjustment mode shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the contents of the upward-angle display and the straight-ondisplay may be reversed.

While an explanation is given above in reference to the embodiment on anexample in which the present invention is adopted in a camera thatallows different images brought up at the image display monitor 16 to beobserved straight-on and at an upward-angle, the present invention mayalso be adopted in a camera that allows images to be displayed at theimage display monitor 16 to be observed from three or more differentdirections. In addition, while an explanation is given above inreference to the embodiment on an example in which the present inventionis adopted in a single-lens reflex electronic camera, the presentinvention may also be adopted in a compact electronic camera with anintegrated lens.

In a standard compact electronic camera with an integrated lens, animage captured via the image sensor 10 is displayed as a through imageat the image display monitor 16 in the regular photographing mode.Accordingly, display modes shown in FIGS. 12A˜13B may be adopted insteadof the display modes explained earlier in reference to FIGS. 3A˜4B.

FIGS. 12A˜12C present examples of displays brought up in thephotographing mode, the image reproduction mode and the camera settingadjustment mode. While the display modes selected in correspondence tothe image reproduction mode and the camera setting adjustment mode areidentical to those shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the through image isdisplayed as the straight-on observation image in the photographingmode, as shown in FIG. 12A. FIGS. 13A and 13B present examples ofdisplays brought up in the photographing and image reproduction mode andthe photographing and camera setting adjustment mode. The through imageis brought up as the upward-angle observation image in either operatingmode. It is to be noted that as in the display modes in FIGS. 3A˜4B, thedisplay contents for the upward-angle observation image and thestraight-on observation image may be reversed. It is also to be notedthat the control information may be superimposed over the through imageon display, as well.

The following operational effects can be achieved in the camera in theembodiment described above.

(1) A plurality of observation images, each of which can be observedfrom a specific observing direction among a plurality of observingdirections, can be displayed on a single display screen at the imagedisplay monitor 16. The image display management unit 13 capable offunctioning as a display control means brings up display imagescorrelated to the specific operating mode selected via the operationinput unit 4 capable of functioning as a selection means as thestraight-on observation image and the upward-angle observation image.While the type of image observed at the image display monitor isdetermined by the observing direction, each observation image can beobserved as a clear image regardless of the distance over which it isviewed, assuring better ease of observation over the prior art.(2) In addition, in the photographing and image reproduction mode andthe photographing and camera setting adjustment mode, different imagesare brought up as the straight-on observation image and the upward-angleobservation image, which enables speedy execution of the individualoperations that are concurrently underway, thereby assuring better easeof camera operation.(3) Furthermore, since information can be displayed as each of theplurality of observation images, a greater volume of information can beprovided on display. At the same time, since such information can beprovided over a plurality of observation images, the volume ofinformation per image does not need to be increased, and the informationcan be read with greater ease.(4) Either of the display images brought up based upon identical displayinformation as the straight-on observation image and the upward-angleobservation image in an operating mode for executing a single operationas shown in FIGS. 3A˜3C can be set in a non-display state.(5) The display image brought up as the upward-angle observation imageto be observed from above at an angle is enlarged along the verticaldirection, as in the vertically elongated display shown in FIG. 10B toassure better ease in viewing the displayed image. The image displayedwith an increasingly larger lateral displayed magnification factortoward the bottom side of the image, as in the display of the imagehaving undergone the trapezoidal conversion shown in FIG. 11C can beviewed with better ease as it is observed at an upward angle. Inaddition, the extent of the vertical elongation or the lateral displaymagnification factor for the trapezoidal conversion is adjusted incorrespondence to the angle of inclination indicating the cameraattitude so as to provide a display that can be viewed with even greaterease.(6) As explained above, by adopting the embodiment in which a pluralityof images, each of which can be observed from one of a plurality ofdirections, are displayed on a single screen, a plurality of images canbe observed with ease on a single monitor.

The above described embodiments are examples, and various modificationscan be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A camera comprising: a display device capable of simultaneouslydisplaying a first image viewable from a first direction and a secondimage viewable from a second direction on a single screen; a selectiondevice that selects any one of a plurality of operating modes; and adisplay control device that controls the display device to display afirst display data and a second display data that are correlated to theoperating mode selected via the selection device as the first image andthe second image, respectively.
 2. A camera according to claim 1,wherein: the display control device controls the display device todisplay control information display data showing a camera state, camerasetting change display data displayed at the time of a camera settingchange and image reproduction display data that is based on image datastored in a memory device or on shooting image data correlated to theoperating mode selected via the selecting device as the first imageand/or the second image.
 3. A camera according to claim 1, wherein: thedisplay control device controls the display device so as to keep atleast one of the first image and the second image in a non-displaystate.
 4. A camera according to claim 1, further comprising: anoperating member disposed at an upper surface of the camera, wherein:the first image and the second image displayed by the display device areobserved at an upward angle relative to the display device and from adirection along a normal line to the display device, respectively.
 5. Acamera according to claim 1, further comprising: an operating memberdisposed at an upper surface of the camera, wherein: the first image andthe second image displayed by the display device are observed from atleast two different directions, wherein the at least two differentdirections comprise an upward angle relative to the display device, adirection along a normal line of sight to the display device and adownward angle relative to the display device.
 6. A camera according toclaim 5, wherein: the display control device controls the display deviceto display an image observed from an observing direction other than thedirection extending along the normal line of sight for the displaydevice by enlarging the image along a direction parallel to a plane thatcontains the direction along the normal line of sight to the displaydevice and the observing direction.
 7. A camera according to claim 6,wherein: the display control device increases an enlargementmagnification factor for the image as a distance from an observationposition increases.
 8. A camera according to claim 6, wherein: thedisplay control device controls the display device to display the imagein a further enlargement by ensuring that as an angle formed by thedirection along the normal line and the observing direction on a displayscreen at the display device increases, a display magnification factoralong a direction perpendicular to the plane also increases.
 9. A cameraaccording to claim 8, further comprising: a detector that detects anangle of inclination corresponding to an attitude of the camera,wherein: the display control device raises at least one of theenlargement magnification factor for the image along the directionparallel to the plane and the display magnification factor for the imagealong the direction perpendicular to the plane in correspondence to theangle of inclination detected via the detector.